Tonneau cover locking spring clamp

ABSTRACT

A tonneau cover system for a cargo box of a pickup truck including a framework having a cross bow member supporting a cover and a locking spring clamp assembly. The locking spring assembly having: a linkage member coupled to at least one of the framework and the cover at a connection location along the linkage member; and a latch housing slidably coupled to the linkage member. The latch housing includes an engaging member engaging the cargo box of the pickup truck in a latched position. A first biasing member urges the latch housing into the latched position. A locking feature releasably couples the linkage member and the latch housing into a locked position, such that a distance between the connection location and the engaging member is generally constant in the latched position and generally maintained by the locking feature in a locked position.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to relates to coverings for pickup trucksand, more particularly, relates to a tonneau cover system having alocking spring clamp mechanism for quickly and conveniently retainingthe tonneau cover.

BACKGROUND

This section provides background information related to the presentdisclosure which is not necessarily prior art.

Tonneau covers have been used for a number of years to cover the cargobox of pickup trucks against dirt, debris, and other environmentalcontaminants and to improve the aesthetic quality thereof. Originally,tonneau covers were designed by upholstery shops and typically made ofvinyl covered fabrics or canvas. The material was often doubled overalong its edges for added strength and appearance. Male snaps were thenattached to the sides of the cargo box of the pickup truck viafasteners, while female snaps were attached along the edges of thecover. Wooden bows were sometimes used to span the cargo box and ensurethat the cover remained high enough to drain water. Unfortunately, thesecovers were sometimes difficult to handle and/or manufacture, andoccasionally failed to protect the cargo box.

More recently, foldable tonneau covers are often more desirable in thatthey conveniently cover the bed of the pickup truck for cargoprotection. However, when not in use, the foldable tonneau cover may befolded toward the rear of the passenger cabin (or other location).Generally, foldable tonneau covers include a frame network of crossbows, a tarp or covering operably coupled to and spanning the framenetwork, a latching system for coupling the frame network to the pickuptruck and a means for stowing the latching system, and a hinge systemfor hingedly coupled adjacent sections of the foldable tonneau cover.However, the known prior art fails to maximize the ease andeffectiveness of foldable tonneau covers and, thus, many foldabletonneau covers suffer from numerous disadvantages.

By way of example, existing latching systems generally employ an overcenter cam lock arrangement to fasten the tonneau cover in placerelative to the pickup truck. The cam lock hooks onto the downwardlyprojecting flange of the truck bed. This cam lock is adjustable byrotating a threaded cam pivot to permit attachment of the latchingsystem to pickup trucks with differing length downwardly projectingflanges. However, this adjustment mechanism leads to various problems orfailures by users. For instance, if the user adjusts the cam lock tootight, the cam lock may break or fracture the plastic bow(s) in theframe network of the tonneau cover. It should be readily appreciatedthat such a failure may lead to the tonneau cover becoming loose andblowing off from the vehicle. Alternatively, the cam lock may befastened loosely, which again may lead to the tonneau cover becomingloose and blowing off. Still further, it is possible that the cam lockmay be inadvertently pushed back over center by movement of cargo or thelike, which again may lead to the tonneau cover becoming loose. Finally,conventional cam locks and/or clamps often require the clamp to bemanipulated to properly align with the truck bed.

When conventional foldable tonneau covers are stowed, that is when thetonneau cover is folded and positioned generally adjacent the passengercabin, it is important to ensure that any clamps or latching members areeasily released to enable quick and convenient access to the pickup bedarea and/or contents.

Accordingly, there exists a need in the relevant art to provide atonneau cover system capable of overcoming the disadvantages of theprior art. Additionally, there exists a need in the relevant art toprovide a tonneau cover system, and in particular a locking spring clampsystem or mechanism that permits the quick and convenient access to thepickup bed area and/or contents.

SUMMARY

This section provides a general summary of the disclosure, and is not acomprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of its features.

According to the principles of the present teachings, a tonneau coversystem for a cargo box of a pickup truck is provided having advantageousconstruction and methods of operation. The system comprises a frameworkhaving a cross bow member supporting a cover and a locking spring clampassembly. The locking spring assembly includes: a linkage member coupledto at least one of the framework and the cover at a connection locationalong the linkage member; and a latch housing slidably coupled to thelinkage member. The latch housing includes an engaging member engagingthe cargo box of the pickup truck in a latched position. A first biasingmember urges the latch housing into the latched position. A lockingfeature releasably couples the linkage member and the latch housing intoa locked position, such that a distance between the connection locationand the engaging member is generally constant in the latched positionand generally maintained by the locking feature in a locked position.

Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the descriptionprovided herein. The description and specific examples in this summaryare intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended tolimit the scope of the present disclosure.

DRAWINGS

The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only ofselected embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are notintended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a tonneau cover according tothe principles of the present teachings positioned upon a cargo box of apickup truck;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the tonneau cover in a foldedposition;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating the tonneau cover with a reartonneau section folded upon a middle tonneau section;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view illustrating the tonneau coverfolded upon a middle tonneau section;

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a locking springclamp assembly according to some embodiments;

FIG. 6 is a lower perspective view illustrating the locking spring clampassembly in an engaged position;

FIG. 7 is a side perspective view illustrating the locking spring clampassembly in an engaged position;

FIG. 8 is a lower perspective view illustrating the locking spring clampassembly;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating the locking spring clampassembly in an extended position;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating the locking spring clampassembly in a retracted position;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view illustrating the locking spring clampassembly with directional arrows illustrating the combination ofconstant spring retraction force with automatic locking;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view illustrating the locking spring clampassembly with the rotatable ratchet member in an unlocked position;

FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a locking springclamp assembly according to some embodiments;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view illustrating the locking spring clampassembly of FIG. 13; and

FIG. 15 is a lower perspective view illustrating the locking springclamp assembly of FIG. 13.

Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughoutthe several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference tothe accompanying drawings.

Example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will bethorough, and will fully convey the scope to those who are skilled inthe art. Numerous specific details are set forth such as examples ofspecific components, devices, and methods, to provide a thoroughunderstanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will beapparent to those skilled in the art that specific details need not beemployed, that example embodiments may be embodied in many differentforms and that neither should be construed to limit the scope of thedisclosure. In some example embodiments, well-known processes,well-known device structures, and well-known technologies are notdescribed in detail.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularexample embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As usedherein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” may be intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “including,” and“having,” are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of statedfeatures, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, butdo not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features,integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groupsthereof. The method steps, processes, and operations described hereinare not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance inthe particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specificallyidentified as an order of performance. It is also to be understood thatadditional or alternative steps may be employed.

When an element or layer is referred to as being “on,” “engaged to,”“connected to,” or “coupled to” another element or layer, it may bedirectly on, engaged, connected or coupled to the other element orlayer, or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast,when an element is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly engagedto,” “directly connected to,” or “directly coupled to” another elementor layer, there may be no intervening elements or layers present. Otherwords used to describe the relationship between elements should beinterpreted in a like fashion (e.g., “between” versus “directlybetween,” “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent,” etc.). As used herein,the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more ofthe associated listed items.

Although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein todescribe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections,these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should notbe limited by these terms. These terms may be only used to distinguishone element, component, region, layer or section from another region,layer or section. Terms such as “first,” “second,” and other numericalterms when used herein do not imply a sequence or order unless clearlyindicated by the context. Thus, a first element, component, region,layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element,component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachingsof the example embodiments.

Spatially relative terms, such as “inner,” “outer,” “beneath,” “below,”“lower,” “above,” “upper,” and the like, may be used herein for ease ofdescription to describe one element or feature's relationship to anotherelement(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. Spatiallyrelative terms may be intended to encompass different orientations ofthe device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depictedin the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turnedover, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements orfeatures would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features.Thus, the example term “below” can encompass both an orientation ofabove and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptorsused herein interpreted accordingly.

With reference to FIGS. 1-4, a pickup truck 100 is shown having afoldable tonneau system 12 for use with pickup truck 100. Pickup truck100 generally includes a cargo box 102 and a passenger cabin 104. Cargobox 102 includes a front wall (not shown), a left sidewall 108, a rightsidewall 110, and a rear wall or tailgate 112. It should be understoodthat right sidewall 110 and left sidewall 108 of pickup truck 100 areidentical, yet arranged in mirrored symmetry. Accordingly, in theinterest of brevity, only one side will be discussed in detail below inconnection with foldable tonneau system 12 unless noted otherwise

Still referring to FIGS. 1-4, foldable tonneau system 12 includes, insome embodiments, a flexible, stretchable fabric cover 14 (or othersuitable cover material being soft or hard) that is drawn tightly over aplurality of tonneau sections 16. It should be understood that theprinciples of the present invention are equally applicable to foldabletonneau systems having two, three, or more sections, each foldablerelative to adjacent sections. However, for purposes of this disclosure,a foldable tonneau system having three tonneau sections 16 a, 16 b, and16 n will be described. This configuration should not be regarded aslimiting the claims herein. Tonneau sections 16 a-16 n may be referredto herein as front tonneau section 16 a, middle tonneau section 16 b,and rear tonneau section 16 n.

Each of the plurality of tonneau sections 16 a-16 n includes an internalframework of support members that are attached to one another to form arectangular frame. Specifically, front tonneau section 16 a includes afront rail member 20 fixedly coupled to a pair of side members 22 via acorner insert 24. Corner insert 24 is preferably rounded along anexterior surface to prevent stress concentrations in fabric cover 14.Corner insert 24 includes a pair of male portions (not shown) sized tobe fixedly received and engaged within front rail member 20 and the pairof side members 22. A corner brace 26 is fixedly coupled, viaconventional threaded fasteners, between front rail member 20 and eachside member 22 to provide improved structural integrity. Front tonneausection 16 a further includes one or more cross bow members 28 beinggenerally parallel to front rail member 20 and spaced apart therefrom(in some embodiments, other tonneau sections can also include cross bowmembers, such as cross bow members 46 of tonneau section 16 b). In someembodiments, cross bow member 28 is generally C-shaped in cross sectionand is fixedly coupled to the pair of side members 22 via a corner brace30 disposed on opposing ends thereof. It should be understood thatadditional or alternative connection features may be employed to couplecross bow member 28 to the pair of side members 22. Moreover, it shouldbe understood that cross bow members 28, 40, and 46 can be made of anysuitable material and define any suitable cross-sectional size andshape. The pair of side members 22 is adapted to rest upon a top surfaceof sidewalls 108 and 110.

Cross bow members 46 are fixedly coupled to the pair of side members 44via a corner brace 48 disposed on opposing ends thereof. It should beunderstood that additional or alternative connection features may beemployed to couple cross bow members 46 to the pair of side members 44.The pair of side members 44 is adapted to rest upon a top surface ofsidewalls 108 and 110.

Similarly, rear tonneau section 16 n includes a rear rail member 32fixedly coupled to a pair of side members 34 via a corner insert 36.Corner insert 36 is preferably rounded along an exterior surface toprevent stress concentrations in fabric cover 14. Corner insert 36includes a pair of male portions (not shown) sized to be fixedlyreceived and engaged within rear rail member 32 and the pair of sidemembers 34. A corner brace 38 is fixedly coupled, via conventionalthreaded fasteners, between rear rail member 32 and each side member 34to provide improved structural integrity. Rear tonneau section 16 nfurther includes a cross bow member 40 being generally parallel to rearrail member 32 and spaced apart therefrom. For manufacturing simplicity,cross bow member 40 can be identical to cross bow member 28 in crosssection and side members 34 can be similar to, but vary in lengthrelative to, side member 22. However, it should be appreciated that thisis not required.

Cross bow member 40 is fixedly coupled to the pair of side members 34via a corner brace 42 disposed on opposing ends thereof. Again, itshould be understood that additional or alternative connection featuresmay be employed to couple cross bow member 40 to the pair of sidemembers 34. The pair of side members 34 is adapted to rest upon a topsurface of sidewalls 108 and 110.

For additional detail relating to the construction of tonneau sections16 a, 16 b, and 16 n, and their association interconnection, attentionshould be directed to commonly-assigned U.S. Pat. No. 7,188,888, whichis incorporated herein by reference.

Locking Spring Clamp Assembly

Turning now to FIGS. 5-12, tonneau sections 16 a, 16 b, and/or 16 n canbe fixedly coupled to sidewall 108 of cargo box 110 via a locking springclamp assembly 300. In some embodiments, locking spring clamp assembly300 can be fixedly coupled to any portion of foldable tonneau system 12that provides sufficient structural integrity. In particular, in someembodiments, locking spring clamp assembly 300 can be fixedly coupled toany one or more of cross bow members 28, 40, and 46. Moreover, in someembodiments, depending on the material used for cover 14, locking springclamp assembly 300 can be affixed to cover 14 directly or otherstructure along the underside of foldable tonneau system 12. As will bedescribed in detail, locking spring clamp assembly 300 is configured toprovide a releasable locking interconnection between tonneau sections 16a, 16 b, and/or 16 n and cargo box 102 of the pickup truck 100 tomaintain foldable tonneau system 12 in a reliably, retained positionrelative to pickup truck 100.

As will be discussed herein, locking spring clamp assembly 300 isconfigured to engage the cargo box 102 of the pickup truck 100 alongsidewalls 108, 110. Locking spring clamp assembly 300, in someembodiments, includes a biasing member capable of exerting a biasingforce to retract locking spring clamp assembly 300, thereby exerting anassociated force on sidewalls 108, 110 to retain foldable tonneau system12 in a retained position. Locking spring clamp assembly 300 can furtherinclude an automatically-engageable locking system, such as a ratchetand toggle system, that ensures that locking spring clamp assembly 300is automatically retained at an installed length, thereby preventinginadvertent loosening of the retention system (locking spring clampassembly 300).

With particular reference to FIGS. 5-12, in some embodiments, lockingspring clamp assembly 300 can comprise a linkage member 302 slidablydisposed within a latch housing 304. In some embodiments, linkage member302 can be generally L-shaped having a central section 306 and atransverse section 308. Linkage member 302 can be generally cylindricalin cross-section. In some embodiments, transverse section 308 of linkagemember 302 can be pivotally received within a bore 312 formed in amounting trunnion 310 (FIGS. 6 and 7) to define a connection location onsaid linkage member 302. Mounting trunnion 310 is fixedly coupled tofoldable tonneau system 12, in particular at least one of cross bowmembers 28, 40, and 46, cover 14, or other structure that provides areliable connection thereto. Mounting trunnion 310 can be fastened usinga conventional fastener, bonding agent, welding, or other fasteningmeans. Bore 312 of mounting trunnion 310 is sized to slidably receivetransverse section 308 of linkage member 302 therein and permit pivotingmovement of latching housing 304 about a central axis of bore 312. Inother words, in some embodiments, bore 312 defines a central axis thatgenerally extends parallel to sidewall 108 of pickup truck 100 (e.g.fore/aft relative to vehicle). In this way, latch housing 304 can berotated or otherwise pivoted about the central axis of bore 312 toposition latch housing 304 between a latching position (e.g. down andadjacent sidewall 108) and a retracted position (e.g. apart fromsidewall 108 to permit opening of tonneau section 16 a, 16 b, and/or 16n to be raised and opened). Transverse section 308 of linkage member 302can be retained within bore 312 of mounting trunnion 310 using anyconventional means, such as a retention pin (e.g. clevis pin) beingdisposed through a capture aperture 314 formed orthogonally through adistal end of transverse section 308.

In some embodiments, latch housing 304 generally includes a main bodyportion 316 and a pair of outwardly-extending handle portions 318, 320.In some embodiments, main body portion 316 is generally cylindricallyshaped having a central bore or interior volume 322. Interior volume 322includes a central aperture 324 extending through a distal end cap 326.Central aperture 324 can be aligned with a central axis of main bodyportion 316 and sized to slidably receive central section 306 of linkagemember 302 therethrough. Interior volume 322 can further include one ormore openings 328 formed in a proximal end of main body portion 316and/or handle portions 318, 320 (see FIGS. 6 and 8). Opening(s) 328 canbe useful for assembly of locking spring clamp assembly 300 in someembodiments.

Latch housing 304 can further include a latch feature or hook member 330formed generally along a portion of main body portion 316 for engagingside wall 108. It should be appreciated that the exact location of latchfeature 330 is dependent on the dimensions of the side wall 108, thelocking spring clamp assembly 300 and the overall construction oftonneau system 12. However, in some embodiments as illustrated, hookmember 330 can be formed along an exterior surface of main body portion316 and generally disposed adjacent distal end cap 326. Hook member 330can comprise a main portion 332 extending generally orthogonal from mainbody portion 316 terminating at an upturned portion 334. Main portion332 and upturned portion 334 together define a channel therebetween thatis sized and adapted to capture a flange or other feature extending fromside wall 108 to retain locking spring clamp assembly 300 to side wall108 of pickup truck 100 and provide a rigid connection therebetween. Ina latched position, a distance is defined between the connectionlocation on the linkage member 302 and the hook member 330. Once thelocking feature is released, as will be described, this distance willremain generally constant (e.g. the locking spring clamp assembly willnot generally extend or retract).

In some embodiments, handle portions 318, 320 extend orthogonally frommain body portion 316 generally at a proximal end thereof. In someembodiments, handle portions 318, 320, together with main body portion316, form a T-shaped configuration that can be naturally grasped by auser by placing one or more fingers on opposing handle portions 318, 320and pulling handle portions 318, 320 to an extended position. Handleportions 318, 320 can be shaped or otherwise contours to provide agradual or otherwise suitable grasping surface 336.

In some embodiments, locking spring clamp assembly 300 can comprise abiasing member 338, a washer/striker 340, and a fastener 342 (e.g.threaded nut) that are operably coupled to linkage member 302. Moreparticularly, central section 306 of linkage member 302 is size toextend through aperture 324 and within volume 322 of main body portion316. In some embodiments, a proximal end of central section 306comprises a threaded portion 344. Biasing member 338, such as anextension spring, can be placed within volume 322 over central section306 such that central section 306 extending within the central,longitudinal opening of biasing member 338. A first end of biasingmember 338 can contact an underside of distal end cap 326. An opposingsecond end of biasing member 338 can contact washer/striker 340.Washer/striker 340 can comprise a central aperture 346 sized to receivecentral section 306 of linkage member 302 therethrough, while the outerdiameter of washer/striker 340 is sized to permit washer/striker 340 tobe received within volume 322 of main body portion 316. Fastener 342, orother fastening system or method, can threadedly engage or otherwiseconnect with threaded portion 344 of central section 306 of linkagemember 302 to retain biasing member 338 and washer/striker 340 onlinkage member 302. In operation, biasing member 338, operablycontacting the underside of distal end cap 326 and washer/striker 340,exerts a biasing force urging linkage member 302 into a retractedposition (FIGS. 6-8 and 10-12).

To provide a locking feature, in some embodiments, locking spring clampassembly 300 comprises a ratchet mechanism 350. In some embodiments,ratchet mechanism 350 includes a rotatable ratchet member 352 beingpivotally coupled to at least one of the main body portion 316 and/orhandle member 318, 320. In particular, as illustrated, rotatable ratchetmember 352 can include a central aperture 354 extending therethrough andarranged such that a central axis of central aperture 354 is generallyorthogonal to a series of ratchet teeth 356 such that as rotatableratchet member 352 rotates about central axis of central aperture 354,ratchet teeth 356 are positioned between a locked and an unlockedposition.

In some embodiments, main body portion 316 or handle portion 320includes a pair of apertures 358 coaxially aligned and sized to receivea ratchet pivot pin 360 therethrough. Ratchet pivot pin 360 can extendthrough one of the pair of apertures 358, pass through central aperture354 of rotatable ratchet member 352, and then through the remaining oneof the pair of apertures 358 formed in main body portion 316 or handleportion 320. Ratchet pivot pin 360 can comprise a retaining feature 362,such as a slot or threaded portion, for receiving a complementaryretainer 364.

Rotabable ratchet member 352 can be generally L-shaped having anaddition tab feature 366 extending from the corner of the L-shape.Rotatable ratchet member 352 can further comprise a finger actuationportion 368 for the small base of the L and a ratchet teeth portion 370carrying ratchet teeth 356. Ratchet teeth 356 of ratchet teeth portion370 are disposed on a side thereof generally adjacent biasing member 338and central section 306 of linkage member 302. Ratchet teeth 356 aresized to engage striker member 340 of linkage member 302 to operablyresist further extension or retraction of linkage member 302 relative tomain body portion 316. It should be understood, however, that ratchetteeth 356 can similarly be configured to permit retraction of linkagemember 302 and yet oppose extension thereof by shaping ratchet teeth 356to permit sliding moving in only a single direction. Both modes ofoperation are within the scope of the present teachings. Rotatableratchet member 352 is positionable through rotation between a lockedposition engaging at least one of the biasing member 338 and/or linkagemember 302 and an unlocked position wherein ratchet teeth 356 are spacedapart from the biasing member 338 and/or linkage member 302.

Rotatable ratchet member 352 is biased into the locked position via asecond biasing member or locking spring 372. Locking spring 372 cancomprise a flat spring that is fixedly coupled to handle portion 318. Insome embodiment, locking spring 372 is fixedly coupled to handle portion318 using a fastener 374 extending through an aperture formed in aproximal end of locking spring 372 and a threaded receiving apertureformed in handle portion 318. A distal end of locking spring 372 cancontact a top side surface of tab portion 366 extending from rotatableratchet member 352, thereby urging rotation of rotatable ratchet member352 into the locked position. Locking spring 372 is configured to exertsufficient biasing force to retain rotatable ratchet member 352 in thelocked position during normal and foreseeable operation and condition,yet permit disengagement of rotatable ratchet member 352 (e.g. movedinto unlocked position) by an operator through application of a grippingforce on a top side surface of finger actuation portion 368 (see FIG.12).

With reference to FIGS. 13-15, in some embodiments, locking spring clampassembly 300′ can comprise several variations without departing from thescope of the teachings. In particular, locking spring clamp assembly300′ can comprise a pair of trunnion ends 404 extending from a trunnionmain body or linkage member 306′. Trunnion ends 404 are configured to bereceived within a channel formed within a cross bow, as described inU.S. Pat. No. 7,188,888, which was previously incorporated by reference.However, it should be understood that an identical fastening system tocross bows as described herein can be used.

In some embodiments, linkage member 306′ can comprise a series ofone-way ratchet teeth 406 disposed along a portion thereof. The seriesof one-way ratchet teeth 406 are engageable with a ratchet handle 408.Ratchet handle 408 is rotatably connectable to a main body portion 316′of latch housing 304′ similar to ratchet mechanism 350. That is, ratchethandle 408 can be rotatably connected to main body portion 316′ via apivot pin (not shown, but similar to pivot pin 360) and opposingapertures 410, 412 formed in main body portion 316′ and aperture 414formed in ratchet handle 408.

In some embodiments, ratchet handle 408 can comprise a ratchet head 416having a locking point 418 engageable with ratchet teeth 406. Ratchethead 416 can extend through a slot 420 formed in main body portion 316′to gain access to ratchet teeth 406 on linkage member 306′. In someembodiments, ratchet handle 408 can be rotatable between a lockedposition, wherein locking point 418 engages ratchet teeth 406 and anunlocked position wherein locking point 418 is spaced apart from ratchetteeth 406. In some embodiments, a biasing member 422 (FIG. 14) can beemployed to bias ratchet handle 408 into the locked position. To thisend, biasing member 422 can be disposed in a slot or bore formed in mainbody portion 316′ and exert a biasing force against ratchet handle 408,such as via one or more pins 424.

During operation of any of the aforementioned embodiments, to release, auser can simply grasp the main body portion 316, 316′, actuated the lockrelease system by applying a gripping force to rotatable ratchet member352 or ratchet handle 408 to overcome the associated biasing force, pulldownward on main body portion 316, 316′ to disengage hook member 330from side wall 108 and rotate the assembly out of engagement with sidewall 108 by rotating about transverse section 308 of linkage member 302or an axis of trunnion ends 404. To engage locking spring clamp 300, areverse operation can simply be performed.

Unlike the prior art, the present teachings provide a tonneau coversystem that provides an advantageous locking spring clamp arrangementcapable of simply, quickly, conveniently, and reliably fastening atonneau cover to the side walls of a pickup truck. Likewise, the presentteachings provide a locking spring clamp arrangement that can be simply,quickly, conveniently, and reliably disengaged from the side walls ofthe pickup truck.

The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided forpurposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to beexhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual elements or featuresof a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particularembodiment, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be usedin a selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described.The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to beregarded as a departure from the disclosure, and all such modificationsare intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A tonneau cover system for a cargo box of apickup truck, said tonneau cover system comprising: a framework having across bow member supporting a cover, said framework being positionablegenerally over the cargo box of the pickup truck; and a locking springclamp assembly having: a linkage member coupled to at least one of saidframework and said cover at a connection location along said linkagemember; a latch housing slidably coupled to said linkage member, saidlatch housing having an engaging member operable to engage the cargo boxof the pickup truck in a latched position; a first biasing member urgingsaid latch housing into said latched position; a locking featurereleasably coupling said linkage member and said latch housing into alocked position, a distance between said connection location and saidengaging member being generally constant in said latched position andgenerally maintained by said locking feature in a locked position. 2.The tonneau cover system according to claim 1 wherein said first biasingmember is an extension spring disposed within a central bore formedwithin said latch housing.
 3. The tonneau cover system according toclaim 1 wherein said locking feature comprises a one-way ratchet system,said one-way ratchet system being automatically engaged without actionfrom a user.
 4. The tonneau cover system according to claim 3 whereinsaid one-way ratchet system permits movement in a direction reducingsaid distance between said connection location and said engaging memberand inhibits movement in a direction increasing said distance.
 5. Thetonneau cover system according to claim 1 wherein said locking featurecomprises: a finger actuation portion; and a ratchet teeth portionhaving at least one ratchet tooth, said ratchet teeth portion engagingat least one of said first biasing member and said linkage member toinhibit movement in a direction increasing said distance between saidconnection location and said engaging member.
 6. The tonneau coversystem according to claim 5 wherein said finger actuation portion isgenerally orthogonal to said ratchet teeth portion.
 7. The tonneau coversystem according to claim 1 wherein said latch housing comprises: a mainbody portion having a central bore, said central bore receiving andcontaining said first biasing member; and a handle portion extendingfrom a proximal end of said main body portion, said handle portion beingsized to be grasped by a user.
 8. The tonneau cover system according toclaim 7 wherein said locking feature is rotatably coupled to at leastone of said main body portion and said handle portion, said lockingfeature having a finger actuation portion extending along at least aportion of said handle portion, and a ratchet teeth portion having atleast one ratchet tooth, said ratchet teeth portion engaging at leastone of said first biasing member and said linkage member to inhibitmovement in a direction increasing said distance between said connectionlocation and said engaging member; said ratchet teeth portion extendingalong at least a portion of said main body portion.
 9. The tonneau coversystem according to claim 1, further comprising: a second biasing memberurging said locking feature into said locked position.
 10. The tonneaucover system according to claim 9 wherein said locking featurecomprises: a finger actuation portion; a ratchet teeth portion extendinggenerally orthogonal from said finger actuation portion and having atleast one ratchet tooth, said ratchet teeth portion engaging at leastone of said first biasing member and said linkage member to inhibit movein a direction increasing said distance between said connection locationand said engaging member; and a tab portion engaging said second biasingmember.
 11. The tonneau cover system according to claim 9 wherein saidfirst biasing member is an extension spring and said second biasingmember is a flat spring.